College Basketball Freshman Power Rankings: Week 16 Edition

As conference races around the country start to boil down to the top few contenders, so do our college basketball freshman power rankings. The first-year standouts who have survived the pressure of conference play are now playing vital roles as their teams jockey for position in the standings (and seeding for the Big Dance).

Marcus Foster and Kansas State face an uphill battle in the loaded Big 12, but the freshman guard isn’t going down without a fight. He led his team’s two biggest wins of the season with a combined 54 points in back-to-back games against Texas and Kansas.

Herein, a closer look at Foster’s hot streak and the rest of the 20 biggest freshman stars from around college hoops. Just like the committee does on Selection Sunday, these rankings give a little extra weight to recent performance, in the interest of rewarding players who are making an impact at the most crucial times of the season.

19. Kennedy Meeks, North Carolina

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Previous Ranking: 20

After a string of indifferent efforts, Kennedy Meeks came up big at the right time against Florida State, spearheading a Tar Heels victory with a sensational 23 points (on 11-of-12 shooting), seven rebounds and two blocks.

18. Eric Mika, BYU

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Previous Ranking: 15

A pair of dismal performances (nine points and three boards total against Pacific and St. Mary’s) took much of the shine off Eric Mika’s back-to-back double-doubles against San Francisco and Santa Clara.

Key Stats: 12.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game

Why He’s Here: The Cougars’ top interior option has provided welcome balance in a high-scoring attack.

15. Sindarius Thornwell, South Carolina

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Previous Ranking: 18

Not only has Sindarius Thornwell continued his impressive showing as a scorer, but he’s also taking over more of the Gamecocks’ playmaking responsibilities (nine assists against Auburn, six in a win over Vanderbilt).

13. Nigel Williams-Goss, Washington

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Previous Ranking: 10

A pair of one-assist performances from point guard Nigel Williams-Goss has played a major role in Washington losing three games out of four. Of course, his 16 points, five boards and five assists also keyed the one win, over a tough Stanford squad.

12. Isaiah Taylor, Texas

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Previous Ranking: 14

The Longhorns (winners of nine games out of 10) continue to impress, and so does their high-scoring floor leader: Isaiah Taylor had seven assists at TCU and 17 points in a losing cause at Kansas State.

10. James Young, Kentucky

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Previous Ranking: 7

James Young continues to be Kentucky’s streakiest player, vanishing against Auburn one game (four points, 1-of-10 from the floor) and carrying the offense against Florida the next (19 points, 7-of-10).

3. Joel Embiid, Kansas

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Previous Ranking: 1

Even before back and knee injuries sidelined him for the TCU game, Joel Embiid had endured his share of disappointing outings (six points and one block against Kansas State, five and one against Baylor).

Key Stats: 10.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game

Why He’s Here: The mobile 7-footer is a defensive stalwart, even when his offense falters.

Biggest Weakness: It’s anybody’s guess how long it will take before he’s 100 percent healthy again.

1. Tyler Ennis, Syracuse

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

Previous Ranking: 2

Tyler Ennis has been making clutch plays all season, but none that match his latest heroics. Saturday’s game-winning assist (to C.J. Fair) beat NC State just three days after his 35-foot buzzer-beater shocked Pitt.